RantCrush Top 5: July 7, 2017

Animal rights activists painted themselves red with fake blood and took to the streets as the annual San Fermín festival started in Pamplona in Northern Spain this week. A million visitors from around the world are expected to attend the festival. Today was the highlight of the festival–the running of the bulls. Bulls are let loose and run down the streets as bystanders do their best to keep out of their way, or run with them. Many risk their lives to get the adrenaline rush of being potentially trampled and every year people are injured. So far this year two U.S. tourists have been gored. A Spanish man is undergoing surgery for serious injuries to his head and leg after being gored and tossed.

Tourists gored and trampled amid chaotic scenes at the start of Pamplona’s bull-running festival https://t.co/BXRqR63Yp7 pic.twitter.com/ZYPd05Fuun

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) July 7, 2017

Two vegan activists protested during the first bullfight of the festival, and entered the ring to lay down on a bull as it bled to death. They were immediately escorted out but said they would accept any jail time to bring attention to animal cruelty. The practice has been widely condemned by animal rights groups, but in most parts of Spain, the tradition is protected by law.

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.